Liebherr has introduced the R 972, R 978 SME, R 992, and R 998 SME excavator models, which replace the R 966, R 970 SME, R 976, and R 980 SMEs, respectively.
These new machines focus on reducing fuel consumption and the manufacturer says they deliver improved performance, enhanced operator comfort and advanced operator assistance functions.
The R 992 excavator is demonstrating its value at Carrières & Matériaux Sud-Est (CMSE), where its primary task is extracting blue quartzite in quarries.
It has high tooth force, reliability, and precision and is suited for this demanding application.
The machine is equipped with piston rod guards, an HD undercarriage, and a 5.20 m³ HDV bucket with guide rails for a drop ball.
The reinforced bucket is specifically designed to handle the high abrasiveness of blue quartzite. Post-blasting, the excavator loads large rocks into dump trucks for transport to the crushing station.
The R 992 comes equipped with Liebherr’s Bucket Fill Assist (BFA) and Liebherr Power Efficiency – Engine Control (LPE) systems.
The BFA system ensures higher bucket filling levels and optimal rock penetration, enhancing operator comfort by reducing vibration and cutting fuel consumption by a claimed 10%.
Liebherr states that currently, the R 992 consumes less than 60 liters of fuel per hour, outperforming its predecessor.
The LPE system provides optimal machine power control, actively regulating engine speed and the hydraulic pumps’ angle of inclination, further enhancing efficiency.
CMSE, a subsidiary of Colas France, operates 40 quarries across 18 locations in France.
The Saint-Pons-de-Thomières quarry, where the R 992 is deployed, produces and supplies aggregates for public works construction sites and has provided materials for race car tracks in France and internationally.
Liebherr says that CMSE chose the Liebherr Generation 6.2 excavator for its robustness, high performance, and low fuel consumption. As a holder of the UNICEM Cap Environment label, CMSE is dedicated to reducing CO2 emissions across its fleet, aligning with its environmental sustainability goals.
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